Dining

This cafeteria-style restaurant is the first of its kind across the country in a zoo or aquarium setting that is Green Certified by the Green Restaurant Association. The Café earned this distinction for its eco-friendly practices which include cutlery made from potato starch and soybean oil, touchless sensor faucets, increased recycling options, and a programmable thermostat. As the Zoo’s main restaurant, this location offers an expanded menu including hot soup, deli salads and sandwiches, traditional grill favorites, pizza, hand-breaded chicken tenders, a made-to-order salad bar and several vegetarian and gluten-free options.

The Detroit Zoo proudly serves Starbucks coffee!
Start your day off with a latté or espresso and cool down in the afternoon with a specialty Frappaccino or iced coffee! Other Starbucks favorites are available including a variety of specialty Tazo Teas. Conveniently located inside the Arctic Café.

This 5,200-square-foot eatery is serving up a variety of its iconic Detroit-style square pizzas, along with gluten-free pizza, antipasto salad, Buddy Brew and other cold beverages. It seats 163 guests and offers picturesque views of the Zoo’s historic Rackham Fountain from the dining room, an outdoor patio and a rooftop terrace that boasts the highest vantage point in the Zoo. Buddy’s is also yet another example of the Detroit Zoological Society’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Learn more: https://detroitzoo.org/press-release/buddys-pizza-to-open-at-the-detroit-zoo/

Similar to the Arctic Café, this location features gourmet Angus beef burgers, turkey burgers and veggie burgers. Safari Grill is located in the back of the Zoo across from the Africa Station.

A favorite with native Detroiters and visitors alike, the famous American Coney Island hot dog is now available at the Detroit Zoo! Located across from Rackham Fountain, the cafe serves favorites including chili cheese fries, gyros, and Greek salads as well as draft Michigan beer.

Pure Greens offers a 100 percent vegan menu.  The eatery is located near the Arctic Café and Carousel.

Cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth at this location with ice cream and Icees. Hand-poured funnel cakes are also available at this stand, located across from the bear dens at the west end of the Arctic Ring of Life.

Located behind the National Amphibian Conservation Center near the playgrounds, this snack stop carries specialty popcorn from the local company of the same name, as well as ice-cold soft drinks, funnel fries and pretzel bites.

Taste this flash-frozen ice cream sensation in four convenient locations: next to the Polk Penguin Conservation Center (Picnic Grove), across from the PlayVenture picnic site, next to the Arctic Outpost gift shop, and next to the Trading Post gift shop.

This eatery features hand-dipped premium ice cream cones, milkshakes and floats.

Located along the main pathway between the river otters and the Holden Reptile Conservation Center, Boardwalk Station offers soft pretzels, bacon and cheese fries, soft-serve ice cream, floats and more!